Disclaimer: Just 2 let u know, as much as I LUV National Treasure smiles n a
sneaky fashion, I STILL DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT OWN ANYTHING NT!!!! However, I think I might have enough money 2 buy Riley!!! YEA!!!! Lol. :)
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Ben raised a brow when I said the words, 'Like magic.' "Are you sure this was Ian? It's not
that I don't trust you, but there are a lot of other cars exactly like-"
"Yes!" I argued. "I mean, I don't have any concrete proof, but..." My statement drifted into
the air when I felt the back of a freezing palm against the side of my forehead. "Riley? Why
is the back of your palm against my forehead?"
"I'm making sure you're not sick or anything. Cause' you're making no sense." He
took his hand away from my forehead and placed it to where it had last been.
Ben made a whaaaa? face at him for several moments, confused and wondering why he did
what he did. Then after he got his point across, he turned back to me. "So, if you don't have
any, positive proof, how do you know it was Ian?"
I paused, different ways of having to break it down to him, streaming through my head. "...I- I." Tears began to build unbearable pressure in my eyes that I couldn't bear. "I...I..I just don't
know! These stupid feelings-" I shuddered unexpectedly, right in the middle of the sentence
as Ben pulled me close, my head resting on his shoulder.
"What about these feelings?" he asked gently.
For a couple of seconds, I didn't even feel like answering due to tears streaming down my
face softly. "Th-th-they always t-tell me something h-h-horrible's going to h-happen. And
s-s-ooo far, the-they've been right. I-It's just all wrong!" I really don't have a clue to why I used the word, wrong, but I guess to me at the moment, I guessed it just seemed liked the right word.
I sobbed, not knowing what to do at the time, but just cry and let Ben keep me close to him
so he could console me. There could've been better things to do, like go into the house first,
then cried. Or just take it like a trooper and gone on with everything else, neglecting all of
my feelings. But at that time, I couldn't do either. I just had to get it out, all of it.
After a few minutes when my tears began to ease, Ben turned me so I would be able to face
him. "Abigail, look at me." My teary, scared eyes met his strong, blue ones cautiously.
"Listen to me, Abigail. Take a few deep breaths. In and out."
I shut my eyes tightly as I started to inhale, then exhaled. I repeated this a few more times
and opened my eyes after exhaling a breath one last time.
"Better?"
"Somewhat. Thanks."
"Now, do you think you can get a few things you may need and finish up where we left
behind?" Ben asked firmly.
I slowly nodded. "I think I can."
"Good. I'll leave you to get whatever you may need." He started in the direction of the
mansion and I followed, several feet behind him. As my legs carried me through the door and
up the stairs, Ben continued downstairs, getting Cheetos, Riley's one and only food he must
have at ALL times, and a few extra supplies. I entered my bedroom and packed my silk,
lavender pjs, a couple of outfits, some make-up, and a few other necessities I'd probably
need, cramping up the small luggage bag I used since a huge one wouldn't be necessary.
Although...it would've packed everything I needed plus additional room for anything else.
But as you can imagine, I didn't have ANY time to waste. Ben would be prepared and ready
to leave in a snap. Riley, of course, didn't have to pack anything, so he probably got into a
grudge match with Ben for his Cheetos. So, yeah. I really had only a trifle of time.
With the 5 pound bag on my small shoulder, I made my way down the stairs where I guessed
the scene. Ben was trying to keep his best friend from his favorite snack food. Yep. Just like
I thought.
"Abi. Tell your fiancé to hand over the bag so I don't go hungry."
"Riley, these are for on our way to New York so we don't have to stop by McDonald's
again."
"Yeah, but I like McDonald's!"
I sighed. "I've got to make a call to my assistant, lying to her why I wasn't there and tell her
I won't be there for another few days, pulling out another lie."
"Okay. You do that while I put THESE in a spot RILEY will never find them." Ben walked
out to the car with Riley chomping at his heels, trying to fight his way with Ben for the bag
as I started to call the Archives. Since my assistant wasn't there (I'm kind of relieved she
wasn't so I wouldn't have to get into the mess I was in), I left a message with another
employee, leaving her a message telling I had some things come up and couldn't be there for
another few days, but told her to save my work, so I could deal with it once I got back.
I walked out to the driveway, put my bag in the trunk, and got into the passenger seat. From
my mirror, I could see Riley really disappointed, but so angry at the same time as well.
"Abi, PLEASE tell Ben over there to hand over the bag. I'm serious! I'll starve if I don't!"
"Oh. Calling Abigail Abi, are we, Riley? I think that's her decision."
"That's true, Ben," I replied, going along. "And I think since he called me Abi twice after me
telling him that was wrong, I think not allowing the Cheetos is a great idea."
Riley slumped back into the car seat as Ben drove out of the driveway. "Ah, man! But,
Abigail-"
"Not buts, Riley. Her decision." Ben smiled victoriously, knowing all along I was going to
say no.
The car ride over to New York was for one thing, long. But for another, plain misery. Riley
kept exaggerating on how he was nothing without food (specifically the Cheetos) and
also annoyed Ben and me pretty well to the point where he was standing on our last good
nerve. And he was sitting right on top it. But that only went on for the first hour and a half.
After that, he started playing games on his laptop, occupying his brain, and the hours were
spent at peace with one another.
Finally after what had seem to be an eternity, the amazing skyline of New York City finally came into sight. I sighed in relief along with nighttime sky, starlit everywhere. We would finally be able to find this other part of the Knights' Templar treasure, capture Ian...somehow and put him back behind the cruel bars of prison, and Ben and I could live happily ever after. For a while, at least.
Shortly, Ben pulled up and parked next to a towering, creme hotel. "I'll go see if I can't find
us a hotel room. You and Riley stay in the car. Oh, and if he asks for his bag, tell him it's out
in the middle of space."
"I heard that!" Riley claimed. A small smile lit up my face. I don't know why Ben said what
he said or why Riley claimed to have heard his comment when he was REALLY playing
goofy on his laptop, but boy was it humorous.
Then, a feeling gave out a shock as I jumped back in my seat. I didn't know why it did this
for just a few seconds, but after that, it was perfectly clear. In my mirror, I suddenly saw Ian,
the same cruel, cold-hearted man he was before he got sentenced to his jail term. But even
worse, he was walking towards me with a casual look, acting like he was harmless, and
nothing would happen. I suddenly got another shock, giving me the feeling something was
going to turn out horribly.